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Topic: Looking for some fundamental info |
Dan Brooks
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2021 12:25 pm |
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Hi folks. This is my first post and I'm loaded with questions. If these have been previously addressed I apologize in advance.
I recently came into possession of a 1981 Sho-Bud Pro 1. I've been a musician for 45 years, a dobro player for 40 of those, and a builder for 20 but this is my first foray into pedal steel. I want to return the original pickup to this guitar but I saw a few posts that said sometimes they're microphonic. Can I wax-pot it just as I would any other single coil PU to reduce this? I measured this PU at 17.7K.
I also acquired an older Sho-Bud volume pedal that needs some TLC. Two questions on it....1. should the rear spring be strong enough to return the pedal to the off/quiet position? And 2. what's the recommended/preferred pot string to use when replacing? Thanks for the patience and help. |
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Dan Brooks
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2021 12:32 pm
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| I missed one last question. What is a good, average space between the strings and the tops of the polepieces? Thanks again. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 13 Feb 2021 1:33 pm
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I've heard it said that the thickness of a quarter is about right for clearance.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Gene Tani
From:
Pac NW
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Posted 13 Feb 2021 3:08 pm
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Scott Swartz knows a lot about SB pickups, you can ask him (he rebuilt/rewound for me)
https://www.steeltronics.com/contact
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string for VP (and no when you take foot off it should stay in place) https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=318081
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- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 13 Feb 2021 3:37 pm
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| I have always set my pickups at a distance of two quarter coins between the pickup and strings. (Actually made a pickup gauge by gluing three auto fender washers together, same thickness. These are available at Home Depot)..FYI: If you speak into the pickup and you hear your voice through the amp, it is most likely becoming microphonic. If so, Scott Swartz has available a replacement single coil unit that will serve as a direct replacement for the original. |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2021 4:02 pm
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The spring on the vol pedal should be adjusted to hold the pedal in any position with out your foot on it.
Pot string. I use mini blind or Venetian blinds cord and it lasts a long time.RP
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Ronnie Boettcher
From:
Brunswick Ohio, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2021 5:34 pm
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For the string, I use a fly-fishing string. Lasts a long time. Where are you at in Ohio?
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Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142 |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2021 7:57 pm
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| I use masonry line as suggested by other forum members. |
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Dan Brooks
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 15 Feb 2021 2:47 am
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Thanks everybody for all the great replies so far. This is really helpful to me as a rank beginner. Just need to wrap up some of these mechanical/lutherie issues and start the real work of learning to play this jewel.
Ronnie, I live down near the southeastern corner of Ohio...Athens county.
Dan Brooks |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 15 Feb 2021 6:43 am
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| David Nugent wrote: |
| I have always set my pickups at a distance of two quarter coins between the pickup and strings. (Actually made a pickup gauge by gluing three auto fender washers together, same thickness. These are available at Home Depot)..FYI: If you speak into the pickup and you hear your voice through the amp, it is most likely becoming microphonic. If so, Scott Swartz has available a replacement single coil unit that will serve as a direct replacement for the original. |
I use 2 to 3 quarters. On my E9, I use 2 on the bass end and 3 on the treble. That cuts down the "bite" a little. On C6 it's 2 on the treble end and 3 on the bass end. That cuts down the boominess a little. I actually super-glued 2 quarters together and 3 quarters together and keep them in my PSG tool kit.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 9 Mar 2021 9:07 am
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For string-pickup gap, most of us use two quarters/3.5mm.
I have found that three quarters/5.25mm often gives a sweeter tone, although with the penalty of a slight reduction in output. Since most of us run seriously powerful amps and a barely open volume pedal, that's not a problem.
I'll take the sweeter tone and just turn it up a bit.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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